The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1062 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
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Ichimi-shabyo
(Jap., ‘one taste from bowl’). The authentic transmission of the buddha-dharma in Zen, from a master to his dharma-successor (
hassu
).
Ichimi-Zen
(Jap., ‘one taste Zen’). The authentic Zen of the Buddha and the patriarchs (
soshigata
), which consists in the experience of no distinction (‘one taste’) between form and emptiness. Its opposite (within Zen) is zen which relies on different types or goals of meditation (
five ways
of Ch'an/Zen), known as
gomi (-no)-zen
.
Ichinen
(Jap., ‘one thought’). The instant moment of one thought in Zen, hence the exclusive ‘thought’ (i.e. without content) of true concentration.
Ichinen-fush
(Jap., ‘a thought not arising’). The state of mind in Zen in which no distracting or wayward thought arises. It is attained through
zazen
, and it is the ‘mind’ of a buddha.
Ichinen-mannen
(Jap., ‘one moment of
nen
, ten thousand years’). A summary of the Zen view that, in enlightenment, numerical sequences of endurance are irrelevant: if one is in a state of absolute enlightenment or bliss, it cannot be calculated whether it lasts a second or ten thousand (or more) years.

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